NEW YORK, Oct. 5 -- Having transformed music and pop
culture internationally, hip hop gets its props in the city where it all
began.

VH1 is partnering with the City of New York's NYC Big Events to create
the first-ever "VH1 Hip Hop Honors Week" in connection with the network's
3rd annual "Hip Hop Honors" telecast hosted by Ice-T on Tuesday, October
17.

"Our Hip Hop Honors Week takes the party out of the Hammerstein and
into the streets so New Yorkers can touch and feel the excitement," said
Maureen J. Reidy, President & CEO, NYC Big Events. "The Week leading up to
the show's telecast is packed with opportunities for New Yorkers and
tourists to learn about hip hop history and culture through a variety of
events in all five boroughs."

"The tremendous depth of activities during 'Hip Hop Honors Week'
confirms how this music has become the dominant force in pop culture," said
Tom Calderone, Executive Vice President, General Manager, VH1. "New York
City is truly the only place in the world where we could hold our 'Hip Hop
Honors' event, and we're proud to have partnered with NYC Big Events to
create such an extensive week that celebrates hip hop."

The event, hosted by Ice-T, will honor Wu-Tang Clan, Afrika Bambaataa,
Russell Simmons, MC Lyte, Rakim, Beastie Boys all representing all five
boroughs of New York City as well as Ice Cube and Easy E. Additional
performers include Lil' Kim, Diddy, Fat Joe, Lil Jon, Da Brat, Xzibit,
Talib Kweli, Remy Ma, Q-Tip, Common, The Roots, George Clinton, Young
Jeezy, Erykah Badu and KRS-One with appearances by Outkast and Mike Epps.

The City of New York, through NYC Big Events, worked with VH1 to create
a jam packed week of events, performances, exhibits, workshops and retail
specials in each of the five boroughs that recognize and celebrate the
heritage and tremendous impact of Hip Hop since its birth decades ago on
the streets of New York City.

Beginning Thursday, October 12 and culminating with the "VH1 Hip Hop
Honors" telecast on VH1 on Tuesday, October 17 at 8 PM, VH1 Hip Hop Honors
Week will be anchored each day by a different theme including: Education
Day, Restaurant Day, Culture and Music Day, Sports Day and Fashion &
Shopping Day.

Highlights of the week include the "Hip Hop Honors Celebrity Hoops"
exhibition featuring half-time performer Fat Joe, celebrity MC Doug E.
Fresh and a team including Ice-T, Kurtis Blow, Whodini and Grand Master
Mellie Mel. In addition, VH1 is producing an NBA Store Event where shoppers
can meet NBA legend John Starks and Fat Joe and compete to win a "VH1 Hip
Hop Honors Week" gift bag. The special week also ties into numerous hip
hop-themed events and seminars that were already scheduled.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12 - EDUCATION DAY

The week kicks off today with hip hop artists conducting "master classes"
in public schools in each of the city's five boroughs throughout the week.
The classes are presented by the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, a long-
time supporter of New York City's public school music programs.

Other events today that tie into "Hip Hop Honors Week" include:

NATIONAL AMUSEMENTS HIP-HOP MOVIE SCREENINGS
Check out Hip Hop Movie night at three theaters in the boroughs -- for
only $3! All proceeds will benefit the VH1 Save the Music Foundation.
Catch classics on Thursday (10/12), Sunday (10/15) and Monday (10/16).
For other movie titles and show times at Linden Boulevard Multiplex
Cinema, College Point Multiplex Cinema and Jamaica Multiplex Cinema visit
http://www.nationalamusements.com

Q-Tip hosts a screening for this inspirational film about Kazi, a formerly
homeless teenager turned youth mentor who helps a group of NYC teenagers
transform their lives into powerful works of art, using hip hop as a
vehicle for personal discovery. The Hip Hop Project features Russell
Simmons, Bruce Willis, Sway, Sarah Jones and Doug E. Fresh. Q&A with
Q-Tip, Kazi and cast members to follow

Hosted by Kool DJ Red Alert from Power 105.1, the powerHouse Arena hosts a
30-year retrospective exhibition of hip-hop culture to benefit the VH1
Save The Music Foundation, featuring works by over 45 artists.

Hip Hop's Remy Ma dishes it out and serves it up at this ultimate hip hop
dining experience. 98.7 KISS FM will be on site providing the soundtrack
to the event and giveaways. In addition, dozens of restaurants in all
five boroughs will offer discounts and specials tied into "Hip Hop Honors
Week." Check out http://hiphop.vh1.com.

"Whitney Live" kicks off its new season with a tribute to the golden age
of hip hop. Pioneering hip-hop duo Zimbabwe Legit -- brothers Akim Funk
Buddha and Dumi Right -- create a unique fusion of African aesthetic and
urban American dialect that returns hip hop to its pre-commercial roots.
With special guest hip-hop legend GrandWizzard Theodore. Free with pay-
what-you-wish museum admission.

This exhibition explores African-American style and highlights the hip-hop
revolution and its transformative impact on fashion and design. The
exhibition focuses on such iconic designers and style setters as Sean
"Diddy" Combs, Tracy Reese and Russell Simmons.

LADIES FIRST RAP and DJ DEMONSTRATION and DISCUSSION - 3:00 p.m.
Michaela Angela Davis moderates an afternoon of hip-hop conversation and
culture for and by women presented by "Black Girls Rock!" Board members
DJ Beverly Bond, Mitzi Miller, Joan Morgan, and others discuss images of
black girls and women in mainstream hip-hop media. Also, Toni Blackman ("I
Rhyme Like a Girl") gives a demonstration with her freestyling group of
young female MCs.

Global Artists Coalition (GAC) hosts a temporary hip-hop museum and
culture center at Magic Johnson's Harlem movie theater that celebrates the
history, style and music of hip hop over the last three decades with
performances, interactive exhibits, including photojournalist Jamel
Shabazz's collection of rare hip-hop handbills and snapshots that
chronicle the transition from old school to hip hop today.

Join premier street photographer Jamel Shabazz and hip-hop documentarian
Joe Conzo as they present the music that inspired their work and a
presentation and slideshow that explores their work over the past 30
years. Evening also includes a Q&A session and a screening of the trailer
from their forthcoming documentary.

Visit the world's only NBA store to meet NBA legend John Starks and Fat
Joe! Get an autograph with any NBA store same-day purchase of $10 or more
(while supplies last). Take a free shot at Center Court for a chance to
win the official "VH1 Hip Hop Honors Week" gift bag. And check out the
"VH1 Hip Hop Honors Week" mini boutique featuring Mitchell & Ness, as well
as signature kicks and giveaways from HOT 97 who will be on-site spinning
hip hop tunes.

Be one of the first 200 people to buy $200 worth of Sean John merchandise
from the Sean John Fifth Avenue Store during VH1 Hip Hop Honors week and
receive a ticket gift with purchase to the Sean John VH1 Hip Hop Honors
VIP Party on Monday, October 16th. Get 10% off your Sean John purchase
with VH1 Hip Hop Honors Week Code HHHW1016.

Check out Scion's King of the Beat regional competition in search of the
next great music producer. Eight contestants from across the nation square
off in the regionals, held at the Canal Room. Hosted by Doug E. Fresh and
including performances by Big Daddy Kane.

Held in conjunction with Black Girls Rock, this event is designed to give
women their due while creating a forum for critical discussion and a
positive approach to problem solving. Features a panel discussion with
acclaimed female artists and writers, a film screening, and a performance
from local Brooklyn songstress Maya Azucena.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17 - HIP HOP HONORS DAY

The week culminates with the 3rd annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors. Far more than
just another awards show, this event celebrates one of the most
significant and innovative forces in our culture today. They represent --
and we recognize with a night of LIVE performances and special
appearances. This year's honorees include Wu-Tang Clan, Afrika Bambaataa,
Russell Simmons, MC Lyte, Rakim, Beastie Boys, Ice Cube and Eazy-E.
Special appearances by Diddy, Lil' Kim, Lil Jon, Fat Joe, Xzibit, Common
and more ... Be sure to tune in Tuesday, October 17 at 9pm.